Five questions about the SEC

By Compiled by Michael DiRocco/The Times-Union,

Who's on the hot seat?

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The easy answer is Ole Miss' Ed Orgeron, Arkansas' Houston Nutt and Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom, but here's one to consider: Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer. There is some grumbling in Knoxville about the big guy because the Vols haven't won the Southeastern Conference since 1998 and haven't played in a Bowl Championship Series bowl since 2000. With South Carolina becoming a threat in the division, there's the Steve Spurrier factor working against Fulmer.

How will Nick Saban's return affect the league?

He might act like a jerk, but Saban can certainly recruit and coach defense. Coaches around the league have said that LSU has been the most talented team in the SEC the past five seasons. That includes three with Saban and the past two under Les Miles, when nearly all the starters were Saban recruits. He'll do the same thing with Alabama, which should make the Crimson Tide the dominant program in the Western Division within five years.

Saban

Has Houston Nutt lost control of his Arkansas program?

Not in the traditional sense of players running afoul of the law, but there are huge problems. Players' parents are complaining to athletic director Frank Broyles about playing time and offensive philosophy. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn bolted after one season. Players who were key to the future have transferred, and private citizens are requesting copies of Nutt's cell-phone records. Without Broyles, who is essentially being forced out, there to back him up, Nutt likely will have to win the SEC title or play in a BCS bowl to ensure his return.

Associated Press

Is the SEC going to lead the charge for a playoff in college football?

UF president Bernie Machen is a staunch proponent of a playoff, and he is working behind the scenes to assemble support. The idea, while appealing to fans, is a long shot because the overwhelming majority of school presidents don't want to do away with the bowl system because of the money. Non-BCS bowl officials aren't enamored with it, either, because they believe it will diminish their bowls and result in more than a few ceasing to exist. Remember this: The conference title game concept was mocked at first, when the SEC introduced the idea in 1992. Now, six conferences have title games.

Attention NFL Draft aficionados

Do you spend hours thinking about the NFL Draft? Do you follow the draft closely enough to put Mel Kiper to shame?

If so, tell us why. We'll select three Times-Union readers to discuss and predict the first round of the April 28 draft at 3 p.m. Friday with Jaguars beat writer Michael C. Wright. Each prognosticator's mock draft will appear in the Times-Union and on Jacksonville.com.

If you'd like to participate, send us an email at tusports@jacksonville.com. We'll grade you after the draft is over.

Kentucky made a bowl game last season, so when will Vanderbilt end its drought?

The Commodores are the only team in the league that hasn't been to a bowl game this century. It has been 25 years since Vanderbilt's last bowl game (the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl). There are talented players on offense with quarterback Chris Nickson and wide receiver Earl Bennett, but the problem remains the offensive and defensive lines. That's where programs such as Vanderbilt, Kentucky and South Carolina generally lag behind the SEC powers. Vandy returns all five starters from last season's offensive line, including first-team all-SEC selection Brian Stamper and second-team pick Chris Williams.